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Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    20 Oct 2026

    Creative geotechnical photography

    Inspired by her surroundings at RHS Rosemoor, where she was carrying out the ground investigation for a new educational facility, and with one eye on the Ruddlesden geotechnical site photograph of the year competition, Catherine Greed got creative with her site photography recently, framing the dynamic sampling rig within the last of the summer flowers.

    Creative geotechnical photography

  • Recent projects

    Correct Waste Classification Saves Costs

    Waste classification was undertaken on surplus soil at a residential development site in Exeter. The soil had been purchased and imported to be used as capping beneath road surfaces for the new development. However, the material was later found to be unsuitable for the proposed use. The soil had initially been classified by others as hazardous waste, due to the presence of loose asbestos fibres within the soil matrix. However, following intensive (and representative) sampling of the soil stockpiles, Ruddlesden geotechnical were able to confirm that the soil was non-hazardous waste. Classifying the waste properly, in accordance with Environment Agency guidance, saved the client significant costs, which would have been incurred if the soil were to have been taken to a hazardous waste landfill, as was originally proposed.

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  • Recent projects

    Coal Mining Assessment, Somerset

    A Phase 1 Geotechnical Assessment and Coal Mining Risk Assessment indicated that a proposed residential development site in Nailsea was potentially at risk from mining-related subsidence as a result of shallow mine workings within the coal seam beneath the site. Ruddlesden geotechnical designed a scope of works to investigate the historical mine workings to assess as to whether the collapse of said workings could foreseeably affect any future residential development of the site. The geotechnical investigation comprised trial pits and trenches, followed by rotary open-hole boreholes. The trial pits were used to inspect the near surface ground conditions and historical mine entries, whilst the boreholes were used to determine the depth of coal seam(s) and historical workings beneath the site. The results of the investigation were used to produce a geological cross-section of the site and ground model, which were used to assess the risk of mining-related subsidence. By virtue of the depth of mine workings, and the working height, it was considered that future development was unlikely to be affected by historical mining.

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